vice captain KL Rahul He scored an unbeaten 122, while his opening partner Mayank Agarwal India smashed a 123-ball 60 as India started at 272/3 with both centuries-plus by the end of the first day.
The 25-year-old said at the press conference, “It’s Test cricket, you win sessions, you lose sessions. Overall, it’s been a good day of cricket. There’s still a lot on that wicket. Things can go quickly.” ” After the day’s proceedings.
Stumps | Day 1 Lungi Ngidi was the bowlers’ choice for the #Proteas as he took all three wickets wisely… https://t.co/n5RCjCd1Ps
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) 1640532254000
NGD’s double strike in the 41st over off successive balls pulled things back a bit for South Africa.
“If you take two wickets in two balls, that means anything can happen. And if we can get some breakthrough early in the morning it can turn the game on its head.
“Still the balls are catching the edge, going towards slip… It would be great if we can keep them under 340-350.”
Ngidi was the only wicket-taker for South Africa that day, scoring 3/45 in 17 overs and also the only bowler to be dismissed. Cheteshwar Pujara Golden duck twice in Tests.
As the rest of the Protea attack lacked control, Ngidi struggled as well but a change of ends did the trick for them.
“I asked at lunch if I could change ends, but obviously everyone likes their fixed endings so I had to wait my turn.
“I was just struggling a bit with the other side and finding the right areas, but once I got to this side I felt comfortable and suddenly, things started happening for me,” he said.
He said the home bowlers were a bit disappointed with the wicket as it lacked swing.
“The wicket did less than we thought. And they (Indians) had good discipline, they left well.
“I expected a bit more swing and when that didn’t happen, you obviously had to change your plans and try to get the ball out of the deck and it was happening at both ends. The gameplan was to attack the stumps. Had to try, and pad.”
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